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We frequented the place back in the 60's and 70's. Actually, we were not the only ones to go ashore there.
There were among several. there were marked paths, flagged with red paint on the brush that indicated a safe path.
I don't ever recall anyone getting hurt over there.
We always had to be prepared to make a quick exit in case the navy came along to make some runs.
There was a group from Sakonnet Point that never had to worry and we would be releived when they were there cause someone in their group had contacts in the navy and knew when there would be "no bombing today".
When they built the buildings over there it all ended!
It used to be really "interesting" to have a dozen or more boats fishing the South West Flat during a day and a few boats in amongst the rocks casting and seemingly out of no where comes a jet jockey buzzing us to let us know the fighters were coming.
They would send in the spotter plane and if we didn't get moving right away then the spotter would call in the rest of the training flight (sometimes a dozen planes) and they would commence to really get down on the boats, coming closer and closer till you could see the pilot waving at you. It is a wonder they never crashed into the water it seemed they were so close to the swells.
We all would get out towards the S.W. Ledge or go over to Squibby and they would have their way with the Island, dropping bombs and strafeing the targets. They would come in two at a time and it took a while to figure but what they were doing was one plane held the instructor or supervisor and he wouldn't be dropping or shooting, he was observing the accuarcy of the other planes.
We heard that when they built the buildings there that they then were doing electronic bomb runs on "special, radio targets" that they would put out on the ground for the jets to send electronic signals at. That is the story that we heard.
I have not been ashore there since back in the late 70's but have memories.
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